Virtuous Women

Virtuous Women

A Mother teaching her children to titheThat is counter-cultural. Women have never had a meeting here. They are not to be educated. Their only purpose is to bear children and be work animals. They have too much work to come to meetings. They will never come.” These were some of the discouraging comments I received when the concept of a women”s ministry was birthed in 2008. Nevertheless, we invited 25 ladies to participate in a weekly meeting, to learn a Bible story and a preventative health lesson. They did come and those 25 ladies are still with us. In fact these first 25 ladies are now leaders in the community. One is Assistant Director of Akot Christian Ministries, 2 of them are school chaplains, 3 are Bible story teachers, 2 are sewing school teachers, 5 have learned to repair water pumps, 4 have a school uniform business, and several have home tailoring businesses.

Monica Agar, Bible Story TeacherACM Women”s Ministry has 8 groups of ladies meeting in multiple near-by communities. Eight hundred women participate in weekly meetings which last several hours. Each meeting consists of a Bible story followed by a discussion of the truths found in the story. Each woman must repeat the story until she knows it well enough to share with others. A health lesson is taught in the same method. Prayers for each other, testimonies of God”s faithfulness, a meal, praise through songs and dance, and lots of fellowship are a part of each gathering.
The status of women in Akot and the surrounding communities has improved tremendously in the last 9 years. They are respected for their Bible knowledge
(most know more than 100 Bible stories in chronological order). They are respected for their kindness, character and godly wisdom.

Elizabeth Adut, Bible Story TeacherACM ladies are also recognized for being successful business women. Seventy women have a goat business and hundreds participate in cooperative gardening projects with produce for sale. A new restaurant is opening soon in Akot which is owned by one of the younger ladies. ACM now has 4 younger women who are able to read, write, and speaking English. These ladies are teaching literacy and English to the older ones who did not have the opportunity to attend school.

We are so very proud of our ladies and they, who call themselves “Women of Hope”, are very proud of themselves. I have never seen such industrious people anywhere. Their cohesiveness and loving support for each other is really an amazing testimony to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies…She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family. Out of her earnings she plants a field. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable…She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy…She makes garments and sells them…She is clothed with strength and dignity…She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and praises her…Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:10-30
Mama Ayen (Ann Rao)

A Women’s Cooperative Garden

Lunch for Ladies Bible Class

Women of Hope’s Sewing School

New Sewing School Building

Socio-Economics Class for Ladies

Celebrating New Life onResurrection Day 2017

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